Manual manipulation toy

ABSTRACT

A manipulation toy having a pair of generally parallel spacedapart plates spanned by pinlike ribs with a ball-holding pocket on the periphery thereof between the spaced plates. The center of the plates has aligned openings therethrough spanned by a generally circular enclosure having a ball-receiving slot. Sleevelike members project laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the center of the plates in communication and alignment with the openings therein and with the enclosure.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Jeffrey D. Breslow Evanston, 111.

[21] Appl. No. 836,478

[22] Filed June 25, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee Marvin Glass & Associates [54] MANUAL MANIPULATION TOY 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 273/113 [51] Int. Cl A63f 7/04 [50] Field of Search 273/108, 109,110,113, 153

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 10,696 3/1898 Patterson 273/113 3,276,778 10/1966 Luchsinger 3,399,894 9/1968 Smith Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord ABSTRACT: A manipulation toy having a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart plates spanned by pinlike ribs with a ball-holding pocket on the periphery thereof between the spaced plates. The center of the plates has aligned openings therethrough spanned by a generally circular enclosure having a ball-receiving slot. Sleevelike members project laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the center of the plates in communication and alignment with the openings therein and with the enclosure.

MANUAL MANIPULATION TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to toys of the manually manipulatable type.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art There is a wide variety of toys available of the type wherein the toys are intended to be manually manipulated by a user in an attempt to launch or to direct a ball or projectile on a given course to successful completion of the problem or task presented by the toy. These toys possess the advantage of being easily understood by persons of diverse age groups and requiring the concentration of each individual user to a high degree in order to successfully complete the game while stimulating others to attempt to successfully complete the deceptively simple problem or physical exercise required. Generally speaking, such toys are relatively simple in structure so that production thereof is relatively simple and economical thereby making such toys available to a wide range of possible users. Since such toys combine the execution skills of manual manipulation together with individual concentration, they are generally well received and popular with the public and there is a continuing desire for the availability of a variety of diverse toys of this nature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of an improved toy of the manual manipulation type.

The best mode currently contemplated by me for carrying out the invention includes the provision of a pair of generally circular discs spanned by perpendicularly oriented ribs in generally parallel rows with a ball receiving pocket or notch positioned between the discs at the periphery thereof. The space between the periphery of the discs is preferably open. The discs are provided with aligned through openings at the center thereof with the space between the openings spanned by a generally circular cylindrical enclosure having a ball receiving opening at one portion thereof. A pair of generally hollow sleevelike members projects laterally outwardly from opposite faces of the discs in alignment and communication with the openings therein and the central closure spanning the openings.

The toy is intended to be used by placing a ball or projectile in the ball receiving notch and thence attempting to successfully advance the toy through the generally tortuous passage defined by the ribs which span the plates to make the ball drop through the opening in the enclosure spanning the openings between the plates. The ball may then roll by means of which the toy is rotated in a clockwise and counterclockwise fashion to execute the desired object of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the toy of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of the toy of this invention; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section view taken generally along the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The toy of this invention includes a pair of generally parallel spaced apart plates 12 and 14 preferably being generally circular discs which provide a wall means. The plates 12 and 14 are spanned by a plurality of ribs 16 which preferably are small cylindrical rods. As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment, ribs 16 are arranged in several generally parallel rows of decreasing lateral extent and conforming generally to the periphery of the circular discs defined by the plates 12 and 14. The ribs 16 in combination with the bounds defined by the plates 12 and 14, define a plurality of generally tortuous passageways through the space between the plates 12 and I4.

A hub portion designated 18 is provided centrally of the toy I0. Hub portion 18 includes a pair of spaced aligned openings 20 and 22 at the center of each of plates 12 and 14, respectively. A generally cylindrical wall or enclosure 24 spans openings 20 and 22 and is provided with an intermediate slot or ball receiving opening 26 therein. The enclosure 24 has integral lateral extensions including the sleeve portions 28 and 30 which project laterally outwardly from the enclosure from the opposite faces of each of the plates 12 and 14. The hollow sleeves 28 and 30 terminate in open ends 32 and 34 which, through the provision of slot 26 in the central wall portion 24 thereof, establishes communication between open ends 32 and 34 and the space between plates 12 and I4 and the exterior. Preferably, all components mentioned herein are made of a substantially rigid plastic or similar material.

A ball or projectile receiving seat or L-shaped shelf 36 is preferably provided between the plates I2 and 14 at the periphery thereof. The purpose of the shelf 36 is to receive a ball or projectile 38 in its initial or starting position. As can be seen, the periphery between the plates 12 and 14 is open. In intended use of the device, a user would place a ball or projectile 38 on the shelf 36 and grasp the sleeve portions 28 and 30 between respective thumbs and forefingers of each hand. Following this, by to and fro clockwise and counterclockwise rotational movement, a user would attempt to cause the ball to descend from the peripheral position of its initial occupation through one of several tortuous paths defined by the provision of the several spanning ribs I6 to cause the ball to drop through slot 26 in central wall 24, from whence the ball may be caused to traverse outwardly of the toy through, either opening 20 or 22 and thereafter either of sleeve 28 or 30, and finally through either of open end 32 or 34.

It can be seen that the toy 10 of this invention is of extremely simple construction making it economical to manufacture and therefore available to a wide range of purchasers. Moreover, it can be seen that the execution of the object of the toy is relatively simple, yet requires a high degree of manipulative dexterity as well as intense concentration for the limited period of time with which it takes to either successfully complete the skill of the game or abandon and resume the attempted execution for which the toy is intended. It is further capable of enjoyment by diverse age groups including those of tender years and limited concentration span as well as those of extended years and limited manipulative abilities.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

lclaim:

l. A manipulation toy comprising:

spaced-apart parallel wall means; means including transversely extending ribs spanning said wall means and defining a tortuous passage between said wall means; a hub portion connected to said wall means having a hollow interior in communication with said tortuous passage means and communicating to the exterior of the wall means; said hub including sleeve portions projecting outwardly from said wall means in opposite directions for grasping the same and influencing the path of travel of a projectile through the tortuous passage means to the central hub thereof.

2. The manipulation toy of claim I wherein the hub portion is generally at the center of the spaced-apart wall means.

3. The manipulation toy of claim 2 wherein a projectile receiving pocket is positioned between, and at the periphery of, the spaced-apart wall means.

4. The manipulation toy of claim 3 wherein the periphery of the toy between the spaced-apart wall means is open.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIUN Patent No. 3,612,533 Dated October 12 1971 Inventor(s) Jeffrey D. Breslow It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 51, after "roll" insert -outwardly through one of the laterally projecting sleeves-.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of A ril 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD F'LFLETCHEH JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK [Uzi-Assting Officer Commissioner of Patents qemlme ORM 304950 USCOMM-DC 60376-F'b9 U,S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFiCE 989 0-356-35 

1. A manipulation toy comprising: spaced-apart parallel wall means; means includinG transversely extending ribs spanning said wall means and defining a tortuous passage between said wall means; a hub portion connected to said wall means having a hollow interior in communication with said tortuous passage means and communicating to the exterior of the wall means; said hub including sleeve portions projecting outwardly from said wall means in opposite directions for grasping the same and influencing the path of travel of a projectile through the tortuous passage means to the central hub thereof.
 2. The manipulation toy of claim 1 wherein the hub portion is generally at the center of the spaced-apart wall means.
 3. The manipulation toy of claim 2 wherein a projectile receiving pocket is positioned between, and at the periphery of, the spaced-apart wall means.
 4. The manipulation toy of claim 3 wherein the periphery of the toy between the spaced-apart wall means is open. 